Beginnings of Islam part 2

Summary

The script narrates the life of Muhammad, from his challenging early years in tribal Arabia to his emergence as a prophet and leader. After receiving revelations at age 40, he faced persecution from his own tribe, the Quraysh, for preaching monotheism, which threatened Mecca's economy based on idol worship. Despite initial setbacks and the death of his wife, Muhammad's followers grew. He migrated to Yathrib, renamed Medina, where he became both a spiritual and political leader. Key battles, including the Battle of Badr and the Battle of the Trench, marked significant victories for the Muslims. The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was a turning point, leading to the peaceful conquest of Mecca and the spread of Islam. Muhammad's influence expanded until his death, with Islam's rapid growth continuing thereafter.

Takeaways

• 👶 Muhammad was born into the powerful Quraysh tribe but faced early hardships with the loss of his parents.
• 🛍️ Under his uncle's care, Muhammad became a merchant and later married a wealthy widow named Khadija.
• 🌟 At age 40, Muhammad received his first revelations from the Quran while meditating in a mountain, marking the beginning of his prophetic mission.
• 🙏 His monotheistic preaching conflicted with the polytheistic practices of Mecca, leading to persecution of early Muslims.
• 📍 The migration of some Muslims to Abyssinia in 615 was an attempt to escape persecution by the Quraysh.
• 🔄 Muhammad's life took a turn with the death of his wife Khadija and the metaphysical Night Journey to Jerusalem in 620.
• 🏙️ In 622, Muhammad and his followers migrated to Yathrib, later renamed Medina, establishing a base for the Muslim community.
• 👑 In Medina, Muhammad became both a spiritual and political leader, governing the city and continuing to receive revelations.
• ⚔️ The early Muslims faced several battles with the Quraysh, including the Battle of Badr, the Battle of Uhud, and the Battle of the Trench.
• 🤝 The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was a significant agreement between the Quraysh and the Muslims, allowing for pilgrimages to the Kaaba.
• 🕌 In 630, after the treaty was nullified, Muhammad led 10,000 Muslims to peacefully take over Mecca, leading to widespread conversion to Islam and the Kaaba becoming a center of Muslim faith.

Q & A

Who was Muhammad born into and what was his early life like?

Muhammad was born into the powerful tribe of Quraysh, who controlled Mecca. His early life was difficult; his mother died when he was six, and his grandfather, who took care of him, died when he was eight.

How did Muhammad become a merchant and what significant event occurred at the age of 25?

Under the care of his uncle, Muhammad became a merchant. At the age of 25, he married a wealthy merchant widow named Khadija, who was 15 years his senior.

What significant event happened to Muhammad at the age of 40?

At the age of 40, while meditating in a mountain outside of Mecca, Muhammad received the first revelations of the Quran according to Islamic tradition.

Why did the Quraysh tribe not accept Muhammad's preaching?

The Quraysh tribe did not accept Muhammad's preaching because he was preaching a monotheistic tradition based on Judaism and Christianity, which contradicted the polytheistic practices and idol worship at the Kaaba, the basis of Mecca's economy and power.

What was the migration of some of Muhammad's followers to Abyssinia about?

In 615, some of Muhammad's followers migrated to Abyssinia, the Kingdom of Aksum, which is modern-day Eritrea and Ethiopia, to escape persecution from the Quraysh tribe in Mecca.

What is the significance of the night journey Muhammad is said to have taken in 620?

According to Islamic faith, in 620 Muhammad took a night journey from Mecca to what is believed to be the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, where he ascended to the heavens with Gabriel, a significant metaphysical event in the Muslim faith.

Why did the people of Yathrib invite Muhammad to their town?

The people of Yathrib invited Muhammad because there was a lot of fragmentation and warring among the tribes, and they sought an outsider to bring peace and authority, especially since there was already a growing Muslim community there.

What was the significance of Muhammad's migration to Yathrib in 622?

The migration to Yathrib, which was renamed Medina, marked the establishment of a base for Muhammad and the early Muslims. From then on, Medina became the center of Islamic activities, and Muhammad took on the role of both a spiritual and political leader.

What were the key battles between the Quraysh tribe and the early Muslims?

The key battles included the Battle of Badr, where the Muslims, despite being outnumbered, achieved victory; the Battle of Uhud, where the Quraysh won; and the Battle of the Trench, where the Muslims were victorious, marking a significant blow to the Quraysh tribe's prestige.

What was the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah and its significance?

The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was an agreement between the Quraysh and the Muslims that allowed the Muslims to make pilgrimages to the Kaaba and put them on the same footing as the powerful Quraysh tribe, signifying a recognition of the Muslim community.

How did the events of 630 lead to the spread of Islam in Mecca?

In 630, after an incident involving the killing of members from a tribe friendly to the Muslims, the Quraysh voided the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. This led to 10,000 Muslims marching on Mecca peacefully, resulting in the conversion of most of the city to Islam and the destruction of idols in the Kaaba, making it a center of the Muslim faith.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 Early Life and Revelations of Muhammad

This paragraph details the early life of Muhammad, born into the powerful Quraysh tribe in Mecca. He faced personal hardships with the loss of his parents and grandfather, but eventually became a merchant under his uncle's care. At 25, he married Khadija, a wealthy widow 15 years his senior. The turning point in his life occurred at age 40 when, during meditation, he received the first revelations of the Quran. Initially skeptical, he was reassured and began to preach these revelations, which challenged the polytheistic traditions of Mecca and led to persecution of the early Muslims. The narrative also includes the migration of some followers to Abyssinia and the significant event of Muhammad's night journey to Jerusalem, which is a pivotal yet metaphysical event in Islamic faith.

05:02

🛡️ The Struggles and Battles of Early Islam

This paragraph outlines the conflicts between Muhammad and the Quraysh tribe, who opposed his monotheistic teachings that threatened their control over Mecca and its pilgrimage economy. It describes the migration of Muhammad and his followers to Yathrib, later renamed Medina, where he became both a spiritual and political leader. The paragraph details significant battles such as the Battle of Badr, where the Muslims, despite being outnumbered, achieved victory, and the Battle of Uhud, which resulted in a Quraysh victory. The Battle of the Trench is highlighted as a defensive victory for the Muslims against a larger Quraysh confederacy. The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah is mentioned as a significant diplomatic achievement, and the paragraph concludes with the peaceful conquest of Mecca by 10,000 Muslims, leading to widespread conversion to Islam and the establishment of the Kaaba as a central place of worship. The narrative ends with the rapid expansion of Islam following the acceptance of Islam by Mecca.

Keywords

💡Muhammed

Muhammed, also spelled as Muhammad, is the central figure in Islam and is considered the last prophet of God. In the video, his life and teachings are the main focus, detailing his early life, his receiving of revelations, and his eventual leadership of the Muslim community. His marriage to Khadija, his persecution by the Quraysh, and his migration to Medina are all pivotal events that shape the narrative of the video.

💡Quraysh

The Quraysh was a powerful tribe in Mecca, to which Muhammed was born. They controlled Mecca and its economy, which was heavily reliant on the pilgrimages to the Kaaba. The tribe's resistance to Muhammed's teachings and their persecution of early Muslims are key elements in the video, illustrating the conflict between traditional polytheistic practices and the emerging monotheistic faith of Islam.

💡Kaaba

The Kaaba is a cubical building at the center of Islam's most important mosque, the Masjid al-Haram, in Mecca. In the video, it is mentioned as the site of pilgrimage and the focal point of Mecca's economy, which was threatened by Muhammed's monotheistic teachings. The destruction of idols within the Kaaba by Muhammed signifies a major shift in religious practice and the establishment of Islam in Mecca.

💡Monotheism

Monotheism is the belief in the existence of only one God. In the video, Muhammed's preaching of monotheism, which was influenced by Judaism and Christianity, is a central theme. His declaration 'there is no God but God' challenges the polytheistic practices of the Quraysh and the traditional Meccan society, leading to significant conflict and eventual transformation.

💡Medina

Medina, originally known as Yathrib, is where Muhammed and his followers migrated to after facing persecution in Mecca. The video describes Medina as becoming the base for Muhammed and the early Muslims, where he took on both political and spiritual leadership roles. The city's name change to Medina, meaning 'The City,' signifies its importance in Islamic history.

💡Revelations

Revelations in the context of the video refer to the messages Muhammed received from God, which later formed the Quran. The video describes how Muhammed initially received these revelations at the age of 40 while meditating in a mountain outside Mecca. These revelations are central to the formation of Islamic beliefs and practices.

💡Battle of Badr

The Battle of Badr is one of the earliest military engagements between the Muslims and the Quraysh. The video highlights this battle as a significant event where a small group of Muslims, despite being outnumbered, achieved victory. This victory is portrayed as a turning point, boosting the morale of the early Muslim community.

💡Treaty of Hudaybiyyah

The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, as mentioned in the video, was an agreement between the Muslims and the Quraysh that allowed Muslims to make pilgrimages to the Kaaba. The treaty is significant as it temporarily halted hostilities and recognized the Muslims' status, laying the groundwork for later events, including the eventual conquest of Mecca.

💡Islamic Tradition

Islamic tradition refers to the body of teachings, stories, and practices that have been passed down from the time of Muhammed. The video relies heavily on Islamic tradition to narrate the life of Muhammed, his struggles, and the early development of Islam. These traditions are crucial for understanding the historical context and the religious significance of the events described.

💡Conquest of Mecca

The conquest of Mecca, as detailed in the video, marks a pivotal moment in Islamic history where Muhammed and a large number of Muslims marched on Mecca and took the city peacefully. This event led to the conversion of most of the city's population to Islam and the establishment of the Kaaba as a central place of worship in Islam.

Highlights

Muhammad's birth into the powerful Quraysh tribe and his early life struggles including the deaths of his mother and grandfather.

Becoming a merchant under the care of his uncle and marriage to wealthy widow Khadija at the age of 25.

Receiving the first revelations of the Quran at the age of 40 during meditation on a mountain outside Mecca.

The initial skepticism towards the revelations and the reassurance that followed.

The preaching of the monotheistic tradition based on Judaism and Christianity, which conflicted with the polytheistic practices of Mecca.

Persecution of early Muslims by the Quraysh, including killings and tortures, leading to the migration of some followers to Abyssinia.

The death of Muhammad's first wife Khadija marking a turning point for him and his followers.

The night journey of Muhammad to Jerusalem and the metaphysical event of his ascension to the heavens with Gabriel.

The invitation from the town of Yathrib for Muhammad to bring peace and authority, leading to the migration to Medina.

Muhammad's dual role as a political and spiritual leader in Medina.

The series of skirmishes and the full-on conflict between the Quraysh and the early Muslims.

The Battle of Badr, a significant confrontation where a small Muslim group defeated the larger Quraysh forces.

The Battle of Uhud, where the Muslims were outnumbered but achieved victory despite the larger Quraysh forces.

The Battle of the Trench, a defensive measure where the Muslims created a trench around Medina leading to their victory.

The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, a significant agreement that put early Muslims on equal footing with the Quraysh tribe.

The peaceful conquest of Mecca by 10000 Muslims and the conversion of most of the city to Islam.

The destruction of idols in the Kaaba and its establishment as the center of the Muslim faith.

The rapid spread of Islam and the conquest of a large area by Muhammad's armies after the acceptance of Islam by Mecca.

Transcripts

- [Lecturer] Where we left off in the last video,

we saw a Muhammed being born into a tribal Arabia.

He's born into a powerful tribe, the Quraysh,

who are in control of Mecca.

But his early life is difficult.

His mother dies when he's six.

His grandfather who's taken charge of him,

dies when he's eight years old.

But he's able to, under the care of his uncle,

become a merchant.

And at the age of 25, he marries a wealthy merchant widower

named Khadija who is 15 years his senior.

Then we saw at age 40 in 610, while meditating in a mountain

outside of Mecca, he receives the first revelations

of the Quran, according to Islamic tradition.

And he's skeptical of it at first, but he's reassured.

And then he soon receives many more revelations.

And within roughly three years, he starts to preach

those revelations.

Now as we mentioned in that last video,

what he was preaching did not sit well with his own tribe,

those who ruled Mecca, the Quraysh.

He was preaching a mono theistic tradition

based on Judaism and Christianity.

He was preaching that there's no God but God.

But Mecca's power, it's economy was based on people

making pilgrimages there to worship the idols at the Kaaba.

So the Quraysh did not like Muhammed's revelations

and they did not like these early Muslims,

and they persecuted them.

They killed them, they tortured them,

and we saw in 615 the migration of some of Muhammed's

followers to Abyssinia, the Kingdom of Aksum,

modern day Eritrea and Ethiopia,

to escape some of that persecution.

Things got worse for Muhammed.

We saw in that last video, the death of his first wife

and up to that point, his only wife.

And this is where we start to see a bit of turning point

for Muhammed and his followers.

In 620 and this is according to Muslim traditions,

there isn't historical evidence for this,

and this is one of the more metaphysical events

that we'll talk about in this narrative.

But according to the Islamic faith,

in 620 Muhammed has a night journey from Mecca

to the farthest mosque, which today is believed

by many Muslims to be the Al-Aqsa mosque,

which was built later in Jerusalem.

So right over here.

So a night journey according to the Muslim faith,

to Jerusalem where he ascended with Gabriel

to the heavens and he conversed

with some of the prophets of old.

And once again, this is clearly a metaphysical thing,

but it's significant event in the Muslim faith.

Now the Quraysh continued to persecute Muhammed

and the early Muslims in Mecca.

We have some of them that are now in the Kingdom of Aksum.

And Muhammed learns that there's a community,

a growing community of Muslims in the town of Yathrib,

who are starting to follow Muhammed or his revelations.

And they come to him and they invite him

to come to Yathrib because there's actually a lot

of fragmentation, there's waring tribes.

And they're seeking an outsider to help bring some peace

and authority to this place where there is already

a burgeoning Muslim community.

So in 622, you have the famous migration

of Muhammed and his followers to Yathrib.

Which is renamed Medina.

And Medina literally means The City.

And from then on it really becomes the base

of Muhammed and the early Muslims.

And Muhammed, once he's in Medina,

he is no longer just a prophet.

He isn't just continuing to have his revelations

according to Islamic tradition.

But he essentially rules over Medina, and governs it.

So he's starting to become both a political ruler

and a spiritual ruler.

Now the Quraysh in Mecca are still not happy.

Because Muhammed is continuing to preach,

and he's continuing to get more and more followers.

And so you start having, at first, a series of skirmishes

between the armies of the Quraysh,

or the members of the Quraysh,

and some of the early Muslims.

But these skirmishes eventually

emerge into full on conflict.

And here are some of the significant battles

that occurred between the Quraysh tribe,

remember that's Muhammed's own tribe,

and the early Muslims, the early followers of Muhammed

and his revelations.

So most famously perhaps, you have the Battle of Badr.

Because this is the first time that you have a significant

confrontation between a very small,

you wouldn't even necessarily call this an army,

a small group of Muslims, roughly a little over 300

according to Muslim tradition,

versus 900 or a little over 900 on the Quraysh side.

And the Muslims are outnumbered three to one.

But this results in a Muslim victory.

And so you can imagine the early Muslims start to see

this as a turning tide.

They were able to defeat the powerful Quraysh tribe.

Now the Quraysh weren't happy with that.

And roughly a year later you have another battle

outside of Medina on Mount Uhud.

And once again, the Muslims, which are now larger,

but they continued to be outnumbered even more

than three to one, this is closer to four to one

right over here.

And this results in a Quraysh victory.

This is right over there.

Outside, on the northern side of what is now called Medina.

But then a few years later you have a significant battle.

Where the Quraysh have built a confederacy.

And they wanna end the teachings of Muhammed,

they wanna end these Muslims who are threatening,

who's preachings are threatening the pilgrimage,

the legitimacy of the Quraysh tribe in Mecca.

And so they laid siege to the city of Medina.

And as a defensive measure, the Muslims in Medina,

create a trench around the city.

And that's why this is called the Battle of the Trench.

And once again, according to Islamic tradition,

the Muslims are outnumbered three to one.

So this is right over here, the Battle of the Trench.

In which the Muslims are victorious.

And this is a significant blow to the legitimacy,

the prestige of the Quraysh tribe.

A year later, you have the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah,

between the Quraysh and the Muslims.

And this is significant because it's starting

to put these early Muslims on the same footing

as the powerful Quraysh tribe.

It has some allowances for the Muslims to make pilgrimages

to the Kaaba.

But then as we go into 630, there's an incident in which

one tribe kills some members of another tribe.

Remember we're still in a very tribal society.

And the other tribe, the one that had some members killed,

was aligned, was friendly with the early Muslims.

So the early Muslims did not appreciate this.

They send an ultimatum to the Quraysh.

And the Quraysh essentially say well that doesn't matter,

we don't really take what you have to say seriously.

And they take one of the options of the ultimatum,

which is making the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah null and void.

So now that the treaty is not there, and once again,

this is according to Muslim traditions,

which are our main accounts that we have of this time.

We then have in 630, 10000 Muslims,

which is a very significant number.

Remember only six years ago, we're talking about only 300

Muslims in the Battle of Badr.

But 10000 Muslims march on Mecca.

And they're able to take the city peacefully.

And what this results in is essentially most of the city,

converting to Islam.

And famously Muhammed goes into the Kaaba

and destroys the idols there.

And according to Islamic tradition,

makes the Kaaba a center of the Muslim faith.

And it is even today.

Now from that point, the spread of Islam continues.

You have Muhammed and his armies, this green area

is essentially what they were able to conquer

in the remainder of his life.

He lives for another two years after

the acceptance of Islam by Mecca.

And they're able to conquer most of this dark green area

here and as we'll see, shortly after his death,

most of Arabia and even Persia,

and within a few hundred years,

a large chunk of the world were able

to be conquered by these Muslim armies.